Saturday, October 31, 2015

Israel day 3 & 4

 
We were invited to do Mikvah
live Shalom, be a Kingdom of Priests
 
 
Esther
 
 
Amazing how strong the current was even with low water.
When the Israelites went through the Jordan they stepped in
and God divided the water
At that time it was flood stage, now the lowest of the year
 
 
With wet feet, sloshing in our shoes we went to Scythopolis
learned about Hellenism (Humanism in our time)
Power, Pleasure and Leasure
and the value system that goes with it
(Accumulation, Accomplishment and Appearance)
Money, sport and beauty
 
Sane values of the world we live in
if it feels good: Do it!
 
 
We were challenged to be a "Kingdom of Priests"
Obedience and walk your faith
bring Shalom to others
 
 
We learned that often a teaching from Jesus comes both
out of the Old Testament and addresses the culture
like the water changed to wine in Cana
Joel 3: “In that day the mountains will drip new wine,
also in the culture, it was believed that
the god Dionysus changed water to wine 
 
 
We visited the place where in ancient days the fishermen came
 to wash their nets. (fresh non mineral water)
Maybe where Jesus called His disciples (likely)
because of the warm springs sardines swim in this part
John 21: Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore,
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
He called out to them,“Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat
 and you will find some.” When they did,
 they were unable to haul the net in
 because of the large number of fish.
 
 
In Bethsaida the fishing village where likely 5 disciples lived
they uncovered a gate from about 600-700BC
In the gate you find what people worship
(in this case a bull, so Baal worship)
 
Poor people also lived in the gates in Israel
Deuteronomy 14: At the end of every third year
you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year
and store it up within your gates. 
And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you,
 and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow
who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied,
that the Lord your God may bless you
 in all the work of your hand which you do.
 
There were ancient ashes in the city gate
Isaiah 1; Your country is desolate,    your cities burned with fire;
 
 
We walked into the fields
fields are small family owned and kept (Nahalah)
but King Salomon gave it to a foreigner: 1 Kings 9:
then King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities
in the land of Galilee
 
In the parable of the soils (Path, thistles, rocks and good soil)
we are invited to take care of the soil of our hearts
 
 
That includes removing the stones from our field
Jeremiah 23: “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord,
“and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

 
On top of Mount Carmel
Where Elijah's contest with the Baal prophets happened
1 Kings 18
 
 
Elijah went to Sinai and after that he called Elisha as his disciple
we also are called to "make disciples"
 

 
Moria studies in Jerusalem,
she came for the afternoon all the way to Carmel to be with us
it took some perseverance, but we were so happy to see her!

1 comment:

Jeanette Hielkema said...

Thank you for sharing your journey with me [us]Some of the memories came back and you added a new dimension by quoting Scriptures.Sometimes I think every teacher of Scriptures should make this journey - Professors- Preachers- teachers to broaden their understanding of the Bible.